Page 30 of A Night To Remember

“Honey, did you notice that fine-looking young man staring at you during dinner. He looked like your type.” Her mother sighed, a dreamy expression on her face.

“No, Mom. I guess I wasn’t paying attention. I was too busy chasing my child around the table.” Charlie sensed impending doom.

“How could you have missed him, dear, all the young ladies were looking his way.”

“I was enjoying your company too much to pay attention,” Charlie answered with barely contained temper.

“You’re a very attractive woman, baby, any man would be happy to take you, even if you do have a child,” her mother pressed on.

“Mom, we’ve been through this already so there’s no point in going over it again. I don’t want a man, so please stop pointing out every single guy you see.” Charlie wanted to throw something, but this was her mother.

“That’s not true. Why do you always exaggerate? I don’t do that.” Delores rolled her eyes.

“Yes you do.” Charlie argued. “And it didn’t help that you mentioned that I was guy behind the ice cream counter.”

“So? He seemed like a nice enough man. I didn’t realize you were so picky.” Her mother shrugged.

“I’m not, but that kid looked like he was still in high school. Even if I did settle down, the man doesn’t have to be drop dead gorgeous or handsome, who’s actually old enough to purchase his own alcohol. He still had braces for goodness sake,” Charlie said, on the verge of screaming.

“Fine. How about that nice boy playing the piano.”

Charlie had no clue who her mother referred to, but bit out, “Not my type.”

“Then what is your type? Are you into white men now?” Delores probed.

Charlie froze. “Why do you ask that?”

“Well, it’s obvious to us Kristy isn’t completely black. I don’t know many blue-eyed black people with her texture hair. I know our people come in all different shades from milky white to onyx, but I’m not stupid.” Surprisingly, neither one of her parents had brought up Kristy’s race before and Charlie had never volunteered the information.

“Why have you never said anything about it before?”

“Because she’s our grandbaby, and we love her no matter what.”

“If it didn’t matter before, what difference does it make now? Kristy is my daughter whether the person who fathered her is white, Chinese or Puerto Rican,” Charlie defended.

“It doesn’t make any difference at all. You know your father and I didn’t raise you to discriminate. I was just making an observation. Charlie, why won’t you tell us who Kristy’s father is? It’s just not right that you should be raising her on your own while he gets off scot-free.”

“It’s the way I want it, Mom. I’m sorry it hurts you guys, but I just can’t talk about it.”

“We only want you to be happy.”

“I know but please accept that this is the way things are going to be.”

By Monday Charlie was ready to commit murder. She was at her boiling point. Far from letting the subject of her single status drop, Charlie’s parents brought it up at every single lull in conversation.

Her parents dropped her off that morning in her car, deciding to stay a little longer and do some sightseeing around the city. Charlie loaned them her sedan since it was more convenient to navigate the city in her smaller vehicle than their cumbersome RV.

Charlie let Kristy stay with her grandparents for the day, knowing her daughter would enjoy spending time with her grandma and grandpa. She kissed them all and waved goodbye, feeling as if a weight had been momentarily lifted off her shoulders. At least at work she would have a temporary reprieve from her parents. She was glad to see the back of them when they drove off with the promise of picking her up at five sharp.

When she made it to her desk, she gasped. A huge bouquet of roses and calla lilies sat on display. Who would send her such an ostentatious arrangement? Charlie heart clenched as possibilities ran through her mind. Her suspicions were confirmed when she read the card.

Thinking of you and hoping you’ll change your mind and give a desperate guy a chance. Jake.

Charlie’s first reaction was wonder. Why would Jake send her flowers as if he were courting her, especially when she had already made it clear she wasn’t interested? Her next reaction was anger. How could he? How dare he presume she’d appreciate his offering?

Charlie had a notion to throw the flowers in the trash can and she probably would have if a coworker had not chosen that precise moment to appear. Oh Lord, here comes Sandy the Mouth.

Sandy was justifiably called “The Mouth” around the office because gossip spread like a forest fire whenever she was around. If you told Sandy a secret, it wouldn’t be one for long.

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